Remainders: They Work Hard for the Money

Congressional candidates work hard for the money, and it shows in the first-quarter fundraising reports filed on Monday.

This quarter, seven figures marked the high bar for Senate campaign fundraising bragging rights — a large sum for hauls from this early in the cycle.

To be sure, the political fundraising market is different in every state (for example, it’s easier for incumbents to raise money in New Jersey than Alaska). But across the map, senators seeking re-election in 2014 — most of whom of are Democrats — raised big bucks.

Here’s a roundup of Monday’s fundraising announcements and filings:

Senate

New Jersey: Newark Mayor Cory Booker raised $1.9 million and had $1.6 million in cash on hand for the Democrat’s exploratory committee for Senate, according to a press release. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., Booker’s likely primary opponent, raised $461,000 but his strength is in his cash on hand — $3.7 million.

Illinois: Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin of Illinois raised $736,000 and has $3.2 million in cash on hand, according to sources close to the senator.

Massachusetts: Democratic Rep. Stephen F. Lynch announced Monday he raised $1.5 million for the special election for Senate in the Bay State. The frontrunner in the race, Democratic Rep. Edward J. Markey, has not yet announced his fundraising numbers. Reports include fundraising through April 10 and are not due until April 18.

Iowa: Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley reported raising nearly $1.1 million to his Senate and House accounts combined and had about $1 million in cash on hand.

Colorado: Republican Rep. Cory Gardner raised nearly $92,000 and had almost $465,000 in cash on hand, according to his FEC report. He represents safe territory for a Republican but has not ruled out a Senate challenge to Democratic Sen. Mark Udall. But typically, a haul under six figures does not signal a future Senate candidate.